Child Labor in City Streets

A historical account written in the early 20th century. The book explores the often-overlooked issue of child labor in urban environments, focusing particularly on children engaged in street occupations such as selling newspapers, bootblacking, and peddling. Clopper argues that these children, far from being considered independent merchants, are often subjected to harsh working conditions that negatively impact their health and education, while public indifference continues to allow their exploitation. At the start of the work, Clopper establishes the context of child labor in the United States, highlighting how previous reform efforts have primarily concentrated on factory and mine workers, thus neglecting children in street occupations. He discusses how street workers are frequently seen through a naive lens, romanticizing their roles while failing to recognize the detrimental effects that such labor has on their well-being. The opening chapters outline the extent of street child labor, categorize various street work activities, and indicate the urgent need for legislative attention and societal reform to protect these vulnerable children.